Calipari: I Don't Have A Magic Wand

Calipari: I Don't Have A Magic Wand

John Calipari says his teams have improved as the season has progressed for a reason, but this current group of Kentucky players has to fall in love with practice to improve.

John Calipari says his teams have improved as the season has progressed for a reason, but this current group of Kentucky players has to fall in love with practice to improve.

LEXINGTON, Ky. - John Calipari has built a reputation of taking teams from a raw state early in the season to a well-oiled machine by March. But Kentucky's coach says that has more to do with what the players are willing to contribute than what he does.

"The one thing that they have to bring is a competitive spirit and a will to win. I’ll help them with all the other stuff. It doesn’t matter what we put out," Calipari said on Friday.

"I keep hearing, ‘Cal’s teams always get better as the year goes on and they’ll be at their best.’ Well, that’s if you really work. If you fall in love with practice and improvement, if you’re in love with that, we’re going to get better. I like my team. But if we don’t, I don’t have a magic wand. It’s not what I do."